The Internet To Dominate Choice In Financial Advice

[newsroom]

The Internet To Dominate Choice In Financial AdviceInformed Choice Chief Executive Nick Bamford has been confirmed as a speaker at the Social Media in Financial Services conference in January 2010.

Bamford, who is a former Chairman of SOFA is one of the most high profile IFAs in the UK, and since 2004 has been re-engineering the change of Informed Choice into a robust financial planning business in light of the Retail Distribution Implementation Programme - and one which fully acknowledges the future impact of the Internet on professional financial advice firms.

Philip Calvert, founder of IFA Life and organiser of Social Media in Financial Services said today: “Alongside the likes of Google, LinkedIn, YouTube and the BBC, we’re delighted that Nick has agreed to speak at the conference. Informed Choice is a high quality financial planning firm which recognises change when it sees it and which is keen to embrace the opportunities it presents.”

“Whilst industry focus is firmly on the impact of the Retail Distribution Review, much of the financial advice industry is blissfully unaware of the potential impact of the Internet, but firms such as Informed Choice are already several steps ahead of the game.”

Financial brands ranging from product providers, networks, IFA support companies and banks – through to IFAs and financial planners are increasingly being impacted by online networking technology as large numbers of consumers use social networks to find financial professionals, financial information and to assess and review financial products and services.

Word of Mouth has never been more important, and the Internet is now the main communication medium. Financial brands and IFAs who do not listen to, interact and engage with consumers online have potentially big problems ahead if they do not begin to build a social media strategy, and will inevitably move further and further away from their customers.
Respected figure

Nick Bamford is highly respected in the industry by IFAs, and his presence at the conference signifies how seriously Informed Choice takes the Internet as an opportunity for financial advice firms.
Philip Calvert concluded:

“Huge change is taking place in business and commerce, which is being driven by the Internet.

Financial advisers are far from immune to this change, and most have no idea what to do about it. But they now have an opportunity to learn from a highly respected member of their peers alongside household names such as Google, YouTube, the BBC and LinkedIn.”